Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) announced Thursday that national women’s doubles player Toh Ee Wei has been forced into early retirement due to chronic sinusitis and needs a rest from the sport.

BAM Secretary General Datuk Ng Chin Chai said Ee Wei who partners Pearly Tan in the women’s doubles needed to focus on her health and is now recovering from a recent nose operation.

“It’s a big loss for BAM. Ee Wei is a talented young shuttler and was playing well but we respect her decision. If she has fully recovered, BAM will always support her return to the badminton arena,” he said on Thursday.

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Among Ee Wei-Pearly’s notable achievements was emerging runners-up at last year’s World Junior Championships in Markham, Canada. Ng who is also C&T chairman said besides Ee Wei, the other shuttlers who have decided to hang up their rackets are men’s doubles players Tan Wee Gieen and Shia Chun Kang, and another women’s doubles player Eng Sin Jou.

Women’s doubles head coach Rosman Razak said that for the time being, Pearly will partner young shuttler Yap Ling for the Asia Mixed Team Badminton Championship which is also known as Tong Yun Kai Cup in Hong Kong on March 19-24.

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Rosman said they are also looking at the other shuttlers such as Anna Cheong and Lim Chiew Sien who could partner with Pearly for other competitions this year.

“Pearly and Yap Ling are not a fixed partnership. I will evaluate the other young shuttlers under my charge to find Ee Wei’s replacement. I hope the youngsters in the women’s doubles will put in a good performance,” he said. – Bernama